So Like Spock
Chapter Ten
The next day Sonan, another scientist and a security team beamed down to a class M planet. Nyota marveled at Sonan's leadership abilities as he assigned duties to each member of his team. She had never seen him in that role. He was so capable and sure of his responsibilities, and her heart swelled with emotion that she forced herself to identify…she loved Sonan. The realization hit her, as the Terran expression goes, 'like a ton of bricks.'
"I love him," she whispered and closed her eyes and turned from the view screen. She realized his persistence and constancy had touched her deeply. He was a selfless individual and as he had stated was able to 'stay on task' without even a hint of resolution for long periods of time. This was his mindset when it came to her. Nyota could not determine when it was that she had changed towards him, but she was suddenly very anxious to see him again.
When the away team signaled for beam up she asked to be relieved and when he materialized she was there to welcome him. She observed his slightly upturned lips as he welcomed her with the formal statement in Vulcan,
"Fosh-lan kah sanosh nemet bezhuni eh khaf-spol tor glan du." (Lieutenant, it pleases my heart and my eyes to see you.)
The only reaction she could manage was a smile. His response was a nod as they walked back to the bridge.
Sonan's one request was,
"Will you have dinner with me this evening?"
Nyota swallowed hard and nodded.
" Nyota, I must now meet the captain for debriefing and file my official report. I look forward to this evening."
When necessary Sonan was 'all business' At that point Nyota missed his usual warmth and as she returned to her post she dismissed their recent meeting and planned what she should would wear to their 'dinner date'.
On time there was a slight tap on her cabin door and Sonan entered, dressed in his regulation trousers and a Vulcan tunic. She was in the bedroom when he came so she greeted him with,
"I know you do not like tardiness, so I will be with you in thirty seconds, you can start counting from now."
He was silent.
When she came out he silently looked at her and then without a word took her in his arms and kissed her, really kissed her until she was breathless.
Looking down he said,
"You know that a Vulcan's lung capacity is three times greater than a Terran male, so Nyota I only stopped kissing you because I do not wish you to experience what I believe the Terrans call being 'smothered by kisses', and, what is tardiness?
Nyota's breathless reply did not address his question at all, and with trembling lips she said,
"I was worried about you today…while you were with the group that beamed down. I know you are capable, but I am aware that all who take on such assignments are vulnerable. I could not imagine what I would do if something happened to you."
She wiped her eyes.
Tipping her head up he asked,
"Are those tears for me Nyota? Have I in some way touched your heart?"
She nodded in the affirmative.
The lift of his lip became more pronounced and the eyebrow lifted to his hairline as Nyota continued,
"I will bond with you Sonan."
He held her and said,
"This means our meal tonight is in celebration of the pleasantness your words bring to me. Come, we do not want our dinner to become cold."
Taking her hand he rushed her to his quarters. When he reached his door he picked her up and carried her in.
"I believe that is a Terran tradition."
As he placed her on her feet Nyota was laughing,
"Sonan, your timing is off."
Straightening he said,
"My internal time calculations are in perfect order."
Nyota corrected his perception,
"No not that, I meant that the timing for that event takes place after the wedding."
"Ahh, 'I put the cart before the horse.'
She laughed again,
"You are so perceptive."
"Indeed. Come, let me seat you so we may have last meal."
He helped her plate and then seated himself.
"Nyota, what prevents us from being bonded or married?"
"There are no impediments."
"Should we marry tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?"
"It is too late in this day to do so today."
"You are serious?"
"As serious as a terminal Terran decease."
"I see you are now master of our colloquial expressions."
Nodding he said,
"I had an excellent teacher."
After last meal, he brought her to his sofa and seated her. He then knelt before her since that was the only way they could successfully be eye to eye. He ran his fingers down the length of her hair,
"I have read some Terra books that describe relationships between Terran males and females. These described romantic events. It is thought that we Vulcans have relegated any emotional notion to ancient history."
He took Nyota's hand and placed it over his heart.
"Nyota you affect me physically and it is not just my heart. I am constantly fighting for control when I am in your presence. I desire you Nyota in much the same way that a Terran male does. You know that if it was only up to me we would have long ago married and bonded. As I told you, I will wait until you are willing to accept me. If you have come to that point, do you see that logically we should take the next step?"
Nyota had to see his logic was flawless.
So, she nodded and said,
"Then we will marry tomorrow."
Seated next to her Sonan asked,
"Nyota, I would be remiss if I did not find out whether you know about Pon Farr?"
"It was explained to me."
"I have experienced five episodes, all with my bondmate but there were never any offspring. You did not ever have this experience?"
"No."
"Does the thought of such an experience frighten you?"
"No, because I love you and you would never deliberately injure me."
Nyota watched as Sonan closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"You, will never have reason to fear me for no person wishes to walk in darkness, I would never want to have you remove your light from my life. Nyota, in Vulcan society expressions of gratitude are rare, but there is one word that applies now, th'i-oxalra (it is appreciated). I cherish you Nyota of Terra with every fiber of my being, not just my heart and soul.
Come, I must have you rest for tomorrow will indeed be a special day.
Again, breathing deeply he said,
"I wish to kiss you again…"
This time Nyota tilted her face up and placed her hands behind Sonan neck and he lightly kissed her and then put his forehead on her shoulder and this time, it was she that held him closely.